December 2021

Page B6 DECEMBER 2021 FUNERAL HOME & CEMETERY NEWS Se c t i on B It was great to see so many of you at the Expo! It was a little smaller than previous years, but I really en- joyed it. It made the event more intimate, which allowed me to spend more time at the booths. As you know, one of the reasons I go to the Expo is to find out what is new in the fu- neral vehicle industry. I anticipated being some- what disappointed, be- By Mike Jamar Your Source for High Quality Funeral Vehicles cause there hasn’t been much new for several years. Not that the vehicles aren’t beautiful and very well adorned, but they tend to have a very similar look about them. I feel the same about babies. I see the pictures of an acquaintance’s new baby, but hon- estly, they all look the same to me. I know parents and close relatives can see remarkable differences, but to an unrelated friend, not so much. The biggest news I heard at several of the booths was they are now offering the XT6. It was like the baby example. I know there are subtle differences, but I tend not to notice them. However, I did find one funeral coach that was different. It was from Platinum Coach. Here is a picture of it. It is a combination funeral coach and flower car. I know that is not earth shattering and certainly done before, but it is the first one I have seen at the Expo in a number of years. You have to get your thrills where you can find them! at the National Funeral Directors Association Expo Mike Jamar is founder and co-owner of Advanced Integration Technology. Mike has been working with computers since the early 80s and started Advanced Integration in 1994. Advanced Integration specializes in Internet inventories designed for spe - cialty vehicles and equipment. HearseHub was created through a collaboration between Advanced Integration and Nomis Publications, and is now in its fifth year of service. HearseHub brings together funeral vehicles from a number of dealerships that specialize in high quality funeral vehicles. HearseHub of - fers funeral directors a large, and easy to shop inventory, of fu- neral vehicles. You can reach him at Mike@AITAdvantage.com. F U N E R A L H O M E & C E M E T E R Y N E W S w w w . N o m i s P u b l i c a t i o n s . c o m Monthly Columns online at Featured Vehicles from HearseHub.com Mileage: 70,968 Color: Silver Price: $29,900 2008 Cadillac Eagle Coach Kingsley Mileage: 62,455 Color: White Price: $19,900 New White Vinyl Top, Black Leather Interior, Completely Reconditioned in Excellent Condition 2006 Cadillac Eureka Brougham Mileage: N/A Color: White Price: $54,995 2010 Cadillac S & S Masterpiece Mileage: 27,801 Color: Silver Price: $40,000 2011 Cadillac S & S MEDALIST Something a little different: Funeral Coach and Flower Car Combination from Platinum Coach www. vischerfuneralsupplies.com Crematory Under Construction AmpliVox offers Free Pink Podiums to Cancer Organizations AmpliVox Pink Podiums have been donated to many breast cancer awareness organizations. NORTHBROOK,IL— AmpliVox Sound Systems once again offered free Pink Po- diums to cancer organizations for October Breast Cancer Awareness month. AmpliVox’s Pink Podium Promise has been in place since 2010, placing pink podiums with hundreds of cancer society chapters, foundations, hos- pitals and local governments. “AmpliVox products are designed to make people look good and sound good,” said AmpliVox CEO Don Roth . “The Pink Podium presents a dramatic visual reinforcement of the color that has come to be associated with breast cancer aware- ness and prevention. I am a cancer survi- vor myself, and lost my wife Nancy to oc- ular cancer. Helping combat breast cancer is one of the many ways we at AmpliVox work to give back to our communities.” The AmpliVox pink podium is made of du- rable plastic that can withstand any weather, in keeping with the unpredictable conditions of outdoor events and races. It can be easily moved, using its heavy-duty casters and built- in handles, and weighs only 50 pounds. The pink podium is a variation of AmpliVox’s stan- dard SN3250 Pinnacle Multimedia Lectern. AmpliVox delivers each pink podium be- fore an organization’s event, and the group can then keep it for future use. The lectern is free to qualified organizations; shipping is also free within continental U.S. To learn more about AmpliVox Sound Systems’ products, visit www.Ampli.com. Delay in Cremation Systems Installations Expected SOUTHHOLLAND,IL— Pitfalls and delays are ex- pected for crematory zoning, design, and con- tracting across the entire nation as prices rise and the country expe- riences supply chain issues. Funeral directors and future cremation- ists should resist worrying or blaming themselves as construction materials be- come difficult to obtain, architect fees rise, deliveries are delayed, and contractor pric- ing skyrockets. While you may feel alone in this situation, that’s not the case. These issues are spreading across America. The consumer sector is experiencing ma- jor issues, particularly in construction and development, due to labor shortages, an unknown financial outlook, COVID, and supply chain weaknesses. While funeral directors and other in- terested individuals may have planned for years to enter the cremation industry, they could be stuck in 2021. Even after researching local regulations, composing a business plan, and studying the features and benefits of every retort manufacturer, they can find their progress at a standstill, even if they already have zoning approval in writing and the perfect location picked out. Individuals have signed contracts with the architect and general contractor, drawn up plans, and established pricing, and then everything came to a screeching halt. Those interested in establishing a new cre- matory may have found that many issues have come against them, thwarting all prog- ress. Perhaps they are suddenly unable to reach the contractor who previously chased them for months. The plans for submittal to the town are not ready. COVID extended the Building Permit process. And meanwhile, construction material prices are increasing. Many funeral directors are finding them- selves in a panic, as budget costs have ex- ploded and the approved loan amount no longer covers the increases from every ele- ment of the crematory project. However, there is no need to despair. Tom Krowl, Vice President with Crema- tion Systems and Certified Crematory Oper- ator and Educator says, “Take a deep breath, compose yourself, and recalculate a cremation entry plan that works.” Interest rates are still low, and Krowl points out that lenders love the growing market aspects of cremation. “Your timeline for completion of adding cremation equipment to your business may be extended,” says Krowl, “but once you are operating you will soon forget the troubles encountered along the way. Remember, the good things in life do not come easy.” Call Cremation Systems at 708-339- 6810 or visit www.cremsys.com for more information or any questions.